{"formats":[{"name":"JSON","format":"json","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-json\/2.2-311.json"},{"name":"Plain Text","format":"text","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-text\/2.2-311.txt"},{"name":"XML","format":"xml","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-xml\/2.2-311.xml"},{"name":"HTML","format":"html","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-html\/2.2-311.html"}],"law_id":78888,"edition_id":1,"section_id":78888,"structure_id":14026,"section_number":"2.2-311","catch_line":"Enforcement of laws by the State Inspector General or investigators; police power of the Office of State Inspector General; training","history":"2011, cc. 798, 871; 2013, cc. 717, 723.","full_text":"A\n\nThe State Inspector General may designate himself and no more than 30 members of the investigations unit of the Office to have the same powers as a sheriff or a law-enforcement officer in the investigation of allegations of criminal behavior affecting the operations of a state agency or nonstate agency pursuant to his duties as set forth in this chapter. Such employees shall be subject to any minimum training standards established by the Department of Criminal Justice Services under § 9.1-102 for law-enforcement officers prior to exercising any law-enforcement power under this subsection.\n\t\t\tThe State Inspector General and the Superintendent of the Virginia State Police shall enter into a Memorandum of Understanding setting forth the respective roles and responsibilities of their agencies, including but not limited to the categories of investigations that will be overseen by each agency and how to avoid redundancy or operation conflicts. The Memorandum of Understanding will be approved by the Governor’s chief of staff and will be reviewed periodically at the request of either agency, but not less than every four years, and revised as agreed to by the agencies and endorsed by the Governor’s chief of staff.B\n\nThe State Inspector General or investigators as may be designated by him also shall have the authority to issue summonses for violations of the statutes that the State Inspector General is required to enforce. In the event a person issued such a summons fails or refuses to discontinue the unlawful acts or refuses to give a written promise to appear at the time and place specified in the summons, the investigator may appear before a magistrate or other issuing authority having jurisdiction to obtain a criminal warrant pursuant to § 19.2-72.C\n\nAll investigators appointed by the State Inspector General are vested with the authority to administer oaths or affirmations for the purpose of receiving complaints and conducting investigations of violations of the statutes and regulations that the State Inspector General is required to enforce. Such investigators are vested with the authority to obtain, serve, and execute any warrant, paper, or process issued by any court or magistrate or under the authority of the State Inspector General, and request and receive criminal history information under the provisions of § 19.2-389.","order_by":null,"text":{"0":{"id":282548,"text":"The State Inspector General may designate himself and no more than 30 members of the investigations unit of the Office to have the same powers as a sheriff or a law-enforcement officer in the investigation of allegations of criminal behavior affecting the operations of a state agency or nonstate agency pursuant to his duties as set forth in this chapter. Such employees shall be subject to any minimum training standards established by the Department of Criminal Justice Services under § 9.1-102 for law-enforcement officers prior to exercising any law-enforcement power under this subsection.\n\t\t\tThe State Inspector General and the Superintendent of the Virginia State Police shall enter into a Memorandum of Understanding setting forth the respective roles and responsibilities of their agencies, including but not limited to the categories of investigations that will be overseen by each agency and how to avoid redundancy or operation conflicts. The Memorandum of Understanding will be approved by the Governor’s chief of staff and will be reviewed periodically at the request of either agency, but not less than every four years, and revised as agreed to by the agencies and endorsed by the Governor’s chief of staff.","type":"section","prefixes":["A"],"prefix":"A","entire_prefix":"A","prefix_anchor":"A","level":1,"next_prefix":"B"},"1":{"id":282549,"text":"The State Inspector General or investigators as may be designated by him also shall have the authority to issue summonses for violations of the statutes that the State Inspector General is required to enforce. In the event a person issued such a summons fails or refuses to discontinue the unlawful acts or refuses to give a written promise to appear at the time and place specified in the summons, the investigator may appear before a magistrate or other issuing authority having jurisdiction to obtain a criminal warrant pursuant to § 19.2-72.","type":"section","prefixes":["B"],"prefix":"B","entire_prefix":"B","prefix_anchor":"B","level":1,"prior_prefix":"A","next_prefix":"C"},"2":{"id":282550,"text":"All investigators appointed by the State Inspector General are vested with the authority to administer oaths or affirmations for the purpose of receiving complaints and conducting investigations of violations of the statutes and regulations that the State Inspector General is required to enforce. Such investigators are vested with the authority to obtain, serve, and execute any warrant, paper, or process issued by any court or magistrate or under the authority of the State Inspector General, and request and receive criminal history information under the provisions of § 19.2-389.","type":"section","prefixes":["C"],"prefix":"C","entire_prefix":"C","prefix_anchor":"C","level":1,"prior_prefix":"B"}},"ancestry":[{"id":14026,"edition_id":1,"name":"General Provisions","identifier":"1","label":"article","depth":5,"order_by":1,"parent_id":14025,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:46:38","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:46:38","permalink":{"id":171957,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":14026,"identifier":"1","token":"2.2\/I\/A\/3.2\/1","url":"\/2.2\/I\/A\/3.2\/1\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":14025,"edition_id":1,"name":"Office of the State Inspector General","identifier":"3.2","label":"chapter","depth":4,"order_by":1,"parent_id":13132,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:46:38","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:46:38","permalink":{"id":171955,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":14025,"identifier":"3.2","token":"2.2\/I\/A\/3.2","url":"\/2.2\/I\/A\/3.2\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":13132,"edition_id":1,"name":"Office of the Governor","identifier":"A","label":"part","depth":3,"order_by":1,"parent_id":12784,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:44:19","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:44:19","permalink":{"id":171457,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":13132,"identifier":"A","token":"2.2\/I\/A","url":"\/2.2\/I\/A\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":12784,"edition_id":1,"name":"Organization of State Government","identifier":"I","label":"subtitle","depth":2,"order_by":1,"parent_id":12749,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:43:53","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:43:53","permalink":{"id":171455,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":12784,"identifier":"I","token":"2.2\/I","url":"\/2.2\/I\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":12749,"edition_id":1,"name":"Administration of Government","identifier":"2.2","label":"title","depth":1,"order_by":1,"parent_id":null,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:43:51","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:43:51","permalink":{"id":171453,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":12749,"identifier":"2.2","token":"2.2","url":"\/2.2\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}}],"structure_contents":[{"id":83095,"structure_id":14026,"section_number":"2.2-307","catch_line":"Definitions","url":"\/2.2-307\/","token":"2.2\/I\/A\/3.2\/1\/2.2-307","metadata":false},{"id":56496,"structure_id":14026,"section_number":"2.2-308","catch_line":"Office created; appointment of State Inspector General","url":"\/2.2-308\/","token":"2.2\/I\/A\/3.2\/1\/2.2-308","metadata":false},{"id":70612,"structure_id":14026,"section_number":"2.2-309","catch_line":"Powers and duties of State Inspector General","url":"\/2.2-309\/","token":"2.2\/I\/A\/3.2\/1\/2.2-309","metadata":false},{"id":84761,"structure_id":14026,"section_number":"2.2-309.1","catch_line":"Additional powers and duties; behavioral health and developmental services","url":"\/2.2-309.1\/","token":"2.2\/I\/A\/3.2\/1\/2.2-309.1","metadata":false},{"id":65127,"structure_id":14026,"section_number":"2.2-309.2","catch_line":"Additional powers and duties; Tobacco Region Revitalization Commission","url":"\/2.2-309.2\/","token":"2.2\/I\/A\/3.2\/1\/2.2-309.2","metadata":false},{"id":55424,"structure_id":14026,"section_number":"2.2-309.3","catch_line":"Additional powers and duties; adult corrections","url":"\/2.2-309.3\/","token":"2.2\/I\/A\/3.2\/1\/2.2-309.3","metadata":false},{"id":55116,"structure_id":14026,"section_number":"2.2-309.4","catch_line":"Additional powers and duties; juvenile justice","url":"\/2.2-309.4\/","token":"2.2\/I\/A\/3.2\/1\/2.2-309.4","metadata":false},{"id":71878,"structure_id":14026,"section_number":"2.2-310","catch_line":"Cooperation of state agencies and officers","url":"\/2.2-310\/","token":"2.2\/I\/A\/3.2\/1\/2.2-310","metadata":false},{"id":82743,"structure_id":14026,"section_number":"2.2-310.1","catch_line":"Investigations; prohibition on interference or exertion of undue influence by Governor, etc","url":"\/2.2-310.1\/","token":"2.2\/I\/A\/3.2\/1\/2.2-310.1","metadata":false},{"id":78888,"structure_id":14026,"section_number":"2.2-311","catch_line":"Enforcement of laws by the State Inspector General or investigators; police power of the Office of State Inspector General; training","url":"\/2.2-311\/","token":"2.2\/I\/A\/3.2\/1\/2.2-311","metadata":false},{"id":80184,"structure_id":14026,"section_number":"2.2-312","catch_line":"Subpoenas","url":"\/2.2-312\/","token":"2.2\/I\/A\/3.2\/1\/2.2-312","metadata":false},{"id":84255,"structure_id":14026,"section_number":"2.2-313","catch_line":"Reports","url":"\/2.2-313\/","token":"2.2\/I\/A\/3.2\/1\/2.2-313","metadata":false}],"previous_section":{"id":82743,"structure_id":14026,"section_number":"2.2-310.1","catch_line":"Investigations; prohibition on interference or exertion of undue influence by Governor, etc","url":"\/2.2-310.1\/","token":"2.2\/I\/A\/3.2\/1\/2.2-310.1","metadata":false},"next_section":{"id":80184,"structure_id":14026,"section_number":"2.2-312","catch_line":"Subpoenas","url":"\/2.2-312\/","token":"2.2\/I\/A\/3.2\/1\/2.2-312","metadata":false},"metadata":false,"official_url":"https:\/\/law.lis.virginia.gov\/vacode\/2.2-311\/","history_text":"

This law was first created in 2011. The record of its establishment is cataloged in chapters 798<\/a> and 871<\/a> of that year\u2019s edition of \u201cActs of Assembly,\u201d the annual state publication listing all changes made to the Code of Virginia in that year. It has been modified 1 time. Those modifications are cataloged by \u201cThe Acts of Assembly,\u201d a state publication, by year and chapter. Those modifications that can be read on the General Assembly\u2019s website will be linked accordingly. That modification is as follows: in 2013, chapters 717<\/a> and 723<\/a>.<\/p>","references":[{"id":73488,"section_number":"9.1-101","catch_line":"(Effective July 1, 2026) Definitions","order_by":null,"url":"\/9.1-101\/"},{"id":54405,"section_number":"9.1-400","catch_line":"Title of chapter; definitions","order_by":null,"url":"\/9.1-400\/"}],"refers_to":[{"id":81089,"section_number":"19.2-389","catch_line":"(Effective July 1, 2026) Dissemination of criminal history record information","order_by":null,"url":"\/19.2-389\/"},{"id":54198,"section_number":"9.1-102","catch_line":"Powers and duties of the Board and the Department","order_by":null,"url":"\/9.1-102\/"}],"permalink":{"id":171995,"object_type":"law","relational_id":78888,"identifier":"2.2-311","token":"2.2\/I\/A\/3.2\/1\/2.2-311","url":"\/2.2-311\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1},"url":"\/2.2-311\/","token":"2.2\/I\/A\/3.2\/1\/2.2-311","dublin_core":{"Title":"Enforcement of laws by the State Inspector General or investigators; police power of the Office of State Inspector General; training","Type":"Text","Format":"text\/html","Identifier":"\u00a7 2.2-311","Relation":"Code of Virginia"},"html":"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

A.<\/span> The State Inspector General may designate himself and no more than 30 members of the investigations unit of the Office<\/span> to have the same powers as a sheriff or a law<\/span>-enforcement officer<\/span> in the investigation of allegations<\/span> of criminal behavior affecting the operations of a state agency<\/span> or nonstate agency<\/span> pursuant to his duties as set forth in this chapter. Such employees<\/span> shall be subject to any minimum training standards established by the Department of Criminal Justice Services under § 9.1-102<\/a> for law<\/span>-enforcement officers<\/span> prior to exercising any law<\/span>-enforcement power under this subsection.\n\t\t\tThe State Inspector General and the Superintendent of the Virginia State Police shall enter into a Memorandum<\/span> of Understanding setting forth the respective roles and responsibilities of their agencies, including but not limited to the categories of investigations that will be overseen by each agency and how to avoid redundancy or operation conflicts. The Memorandum<\/span> of Understanding will be approved by the Governor’s chief of staff and will be reviewed periodically at the request of either agency, but not less than every four years, and revised as agreed to by the agencies and endorsed by the Governor’s chief of staff. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

B.<\/span> The State Inspector General or investigators as may be designated by him also shall have the authority to issue<\/span> summonses for violations of the statutes<\/span> that the State Inspector General is required to enforce. In the event a person issued such a summons<\/span> fails or refuses to discontinue the unlawful acts or refuses to give a written promise to appear at the time and place specified in the summons<\/span>, the investigator may appear before a magistrate<\/span> or other issuing authority having jurisdiction<\/span> to obtain a criminal warrant pursuant to § 19.2-72<\/a>. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

C.<\/span> All investigators appointed by the State Inspector General are vested with the authority to administer oaths<\/span> or affirmations for the purpose of receiving complaints and conducting investigations of violations of the statutes<\/span> and regulations that the State Inspector General is required to enforce. Such investigators are vested with the authority to obtain, serve, and execute any warrant, paper, or process issued by any court<\/span> or magistrate<\/span> or under the authority of the State Inspector General, and request and receive criminal history information under the provisions of § 19.2-389<\/a>. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>","plain_text":" CODE OF VIRGINIA\n\nENFORCEMENT OF LAWS BY THE STATE INSPECTOR GENERAL OR INVESTIGATORS; POLICE\nPOWER OF THE OFFICE OF STATE INSPECTOR GENERAL; TRAINING (\u00a7 2.2-311)\n\nA. The State Inspector General may designate himself and no more than 30 members\nof the investigations unit of the Office to have the same powers as a sheriff or\na law-enforcement officer in the investigation of allegations of criminal\nbehavior affecting the operations of a state agency or nonstate agency pursuant\nto his duties as set forth in this chapter. Such employees shall be subject to\nany minimum training standards established by the Department of Criminal Justice\nServices under § 9.1-102 for law-enforcement officers prior to exercising\nany law-enforcement power under this subsection.\n\t\t\tThe State Inspector General and the Superintendent of the Virginia State\nPolice shall enter into a Memorandum of Understanding setting forth the\nrespective roles and responsibilities of their agencies, including but not\nlimited to the categories of investigations that will be overseen by each agency\nand how to avoid redundancy or operation conflicts. The Memorandum of\nUnderstanding will be approved by the Governor’s chief of staff and will\nbe reviewed periodically at the request of either agency, but not less than\nevery four years, and revised as agreed to by the agencies and endorsed by the\nGovernor’s chief of staff.\n\nB. The State Inspector General or investigators as may be designated by him also\nshall have the authority to issue summonses for violations of the statutes that\nthe State Inspector General is required to enforce. In the event a person issued\nsuch a summons fails or refuses to discontinue the unlawful acts or refuses to\ngive a written promise to appear at the time and place specified in the summons,\nthe investigator may appear before a magistrate or other issuing authority\nhaving jurisdiction to obtain a criminal warrant pursuant to § 19.2-72.\n\nC. All investigators appointed by the State Inspector General are vested with\nthe authority to administer oaths or affirmations for the purpose of receiving\ncomplaints and conducting investigations of violations of the statutes and\nregulations that the State Inspector General is required to enforce. Such\ninvestigators are vested with the authority to obtain, serve, and execute any\nwarrant, paper, or process issued by any court or magistrate or under the\nauthority of the State Inspector General, and request and receive criminal\nhistory information under the provisions of § 19.2-389.\n\nHISTORY: 2011, cc. 798, 871; 2013, cc. 717, 723.","edition":{"id":1,"name":"2025","slug":"2025","date_created":"2026-06-21 22:39:22","date_modified":"2026-06-21 22:39:22","current":1,"order_by":1,"last_import":null}}